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The Object of My Affection

  • 1998
  • R
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
22K
YOUR RATING
Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd in The Object of My Affection (1998)
Pre, "Coming Soon"
Play trailer2:06
1 Video
93 Photos
Feel-Good RomanceRomantic ComedyComedyDramaRomance

A pregnant New York City social worker begins to develop romantic feelings for her gay best friend, and decides she'd rather raise her child with him, much to the dismay of her overbearing b... Read allA pregnant New York City social worker begins to develop romantic feelings for her gay best friend, and decides she'd rather raise her child with him, much to the dismay of her overbearing boyfriend.A pregnant New York City social worker begins to develop romantic feelings for her gay best friend, and decides she'd rather raise her child with him, much to the dismay of her overbearing boyfriend.

  • Director
    • Nicholas Hytner
  • Writers
    • Stephen McCauley
    • Wendy Wasserstein
  • Stars
    • Jennifer Aniston
    • Paul Rudd
    • Kali Rocha
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    22K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nicholas Hytner
    • Writers
      • Stephen McCauley
      • Wendy Wasserstein
    • Stars
      • Jennifer Aniston
      • Paul Rudd
      • Kali Rocha
    • 156User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    The Object of My Affection
    Trailer 2:06
    The Object of My Affection

    Photos93

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    Top cast73

    Edit
    Jennifer Aniston
    Jennifer Aniston
    • Nina Borowski
    Paul Rudd
    Paul Rudd
    • George Hanson
    Kali Rocha
    Kali Rocha
    • Melissa Marx
    Lena Cardwell
    Lena Cardwell
    • Girl at Community Center
    Natalie B. Kikkenborg
    • Girl at Community Center
    Lauren Pratt
    • Sally Miller
    Hayden Panettiere
    Hayden Panettiere
    • Mermaid
    Lauren Chen
    • Violin Player
    Liam Aiken
    Liam Aiken
    • Nathan
    Alan Alda
    Alan Alda
    • Sidney Miller
    Allison Janney
    Allison Janney
    • Constance Miller
    Tim Daly
    Tim Daly
    • Dr. Robert Joley
    Janet Zarish
    Janet Zarish
    • Dinner Guest
    Ellen Tobie
    Ellen Tobie
    • Dinner Guest
    Virl Andrick
    • Dinner Guest
    Robert C. Lee
    • Dinner Guest
    Bradley White
    Bradley White
    • Stephen Saint
    Marilyn Dobrin
    • Mrs. Sarni
    • Director
      • Nicholas Hytner
    • Writers
      • Stephen McCauley
      • Wendy Wasserstein
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews156

    6.022.2K
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    Featured reviews

    Tat-2

    This film was beautiful.

    I just recently saw the movie The Object of My Affection. I have been wanting to see the film ever since it was released to the Box Office. I was finally able to see it today. This film made me cry, and made me laugh. I was so moved by the dramatic issues in this film. Seeing Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd's characters on screen made me see just how precious love is. While I was watching this movie I kept wishing that the guy and girl would get together just like in other romance movies. In the case of this film, I was moved by how it turned out. Everyone was happy. I would like to thank and give credit to all of the people who helped to make this movie possible. I want to have a relationship like the one that Jennifer and Paul's characters did in the beginning. Someone to talk with, laugh with and to love. This film was truly a masterpiece.
    iam_itsme

    I Love It !

    I saw this movie in 1998 ... the first time that it had released in Thailand. I love it so much. 'Cuz I think.... I have the same feeling as Nina in this movie. Nina loves George. And for me, I love someone who is GAY ! ..... Nina can't accept the relationship between herself and George. But I think I can accept everything .......... between myself and him... the one I love. I always think that I'm "Nina". :)

    This is a great movie that you guys who are falling in love with a GAY man should see !! 'Cuz I saw it from the theatre, Cable TV and VDO for several times !
    6namashi_1

    A Great Idea Translates Into A Decent Film!

    Adapted from the book of the same name by Stephen McCauley, 'The Object of My Affection' rests on a great, novel idea, but somehow it falters, in its execution. Its certainly a decent film with good performances, but the idea deserved more.

    'The Object of My Affection' Synopsis: A pregnant New York social worker begins to develop romantic feelings for her gay best friend, and decides she'd rather raise her child with him, much to the dismay of her overbearing boyfriend.

    'The Object of My Affection' is about finding comfort in a partner, despite their sexuality. The protagonist here, pregnant & rather lonely, finds comfort & commitment in a gay man, to whom, she offers to father her child. Now, that's a different way of looking at things, but its a great concept. The clichés of the hero & heroine are done away here & what is served here is a tale of love, despite both the sexes ever indulging sexually.

    However, 'The Object of My Affection' is hurdled by an erratic Screenplay. The Late/Great Wendy Wasserstein's Adapted Screenplay stagnates after a point. Of course, the lighthearted tone is wonderfully maintained & the film begins very well, but you wish the Writer had opted for a little more. The final 30-minutes, in particular, aren't impressive enough. I wanted more of the interaction between the unlikely couple, rather than newer characters & their importance.

    Nicholas Hytner's Direction is fine. Cinematography is excellent. Editing is alright. Art & Costume Design are perfect. George Fenton's Score is passable.

    Performance-Wise: Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd are in complete form. Aniston is natural to the core & makes you feel for her love towards a man who isn't attracted to her, while Rudd is magic as her companion, who also loves her, but just not the way she expects. Their on-screen chemistry, also, is easy. John Pankow is first-rate. Veterans Allison Janney & Alan Alda are adequate. Steve Zahn has a very small role, but he's effective, as always.

    On the whole, 'The Object of My Affection' isn't as brave as it should've been, nonetheless, its a breezy watch.
    Red7Eric

    I loved this movie

    I thought that this film was terrific. I read the book years ago, and actually thought that the movie was better. First of all, it makes more sense to look at the storyline from Nina's perspective, since she has much more at stake than George does. Secondly, the character played by Nigel Hawthorne was beautifully written and played, and he didn't even exist in the book. I also disagree with the assertion that George was "boring" in this movie. I thought that Paul Rudd gave a wonderful and moving performance, particularly at the Science Fair when he tells Nina how much he would love to be a father. Don't believe the critics -- give it a rental. It's a terrific film.
    6moonspinner55

    Sensitive straight/gay romance pre-"Will & Grace"

    Screenwriter Wendy Wasserstein, adapting Stephen McCauley's novel, begins with a premise which is pure formula: an unmarried mother-to-be in New York City would rather raise her child with her gay best friend rather than with the baby's father. What appears to be a continuation of themes begun with 1997's "My Best Friend's Wedding" fortunately leads to a sensitive, perceptive straight/gay platonic romance pre-"Will & Grace". A large part of the film's success belongs to Jennifer Aniston (an easy presence on the screen) and Paul Rudd (who is charming without effort, even if some of his dialogue is a little cloying). There's also a moving story thread involving Nigel Hawthorne as an elderly gay man who is cruelly dumped-on by his young lover that shows the sometimes fickle nature inherent in gay relationships, handled with quiet taste by director Nicholas Hytner. Despite a downright peculiar finish (which gives new meaning to the term "feel good"), "The Object of My Affection" is a sweet, insightful comedy-drama that gets into that curious area not many movies are willing to investigate: why many straight women are drawn to having gay men as best friends, what the two have in common and, ultimately, what actions cross that invisible line between loyalty and disillusionment (which has its basis in disappointment on the woman's part that the fantasy cannot come true). Not everything works in "Affection", but it is remarkably pleasant and (for better or worse) hetero-friendly. **1/2 from ****

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    Related interests

    Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in Love & Basketball (2000)
    Feel-Good Romance
    Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
    Romantic Comedy
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
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    Drama
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    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey, Jr. were initially cast to star as Nina Borowski and George Hanson.
    • Goofs
      When George and Nina are kissing on the bed, Nina unbuttons his shirt, then when he answers the phone his shirt is fastened again. He then gets up and walks away, shirt open.
    • Quotes

      Rodney: Don't fix your life so that you're left alone right when you come to the middle of it.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: My Giant/The Odd Couple II/City of Angels/The Player's Club/The Big One/The Butcher Boy (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      You Were Meant for Me
      Written by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed

      Performed by Sting

      Produced and Arranged by Dave Hartley and George Fenton

      Sting appears courtesy of A&M Records

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 17, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El objeto de mi afecto
    • Filming locations
      • Central Park Zoo, Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $29,187,243
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,725,855
      • Apr 19, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $46,905,889
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 51m(111 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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